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The wisps of fog that enshrouded Santa Barbara Harbor quickly lifted as we pushed to the east. At times there were little “sucker holes” of sun and warmth, but for the most part it was glassy smooth but with a low overcast ceiling. Once on the feeding grounds the ceiling did not matter. We were surrounded by humpback whales. Captain …

Ideal conditions again on the Santa Barbara Channel feeding grounds. Today we watched as 8 humpback whales and 6 Minke whales gorged themselves on anchovy schools. The humpbacks were once again lunge feeding on the surface for all to witness. At least 1,000 common dolphins were observed (plus or minus) feeding alongside the seabirds, whales and sea lions. Hope to …

Many of you loyal readers are no doubt getting tired of hearing me say that it was yet another gorgeous, flat, calm and ideal whale watching day in the Santa Barbara Channel today. But it was. This past month or so has brought us more drop dead days that I can ever recall making our Fall whale watching the best …

A humpback whale set a new Santa Barbara Channel record for pectoral fin slaps today with 114 consecutive slams. In addition, extra “style points” had to be awarded for using both the right pectoral fin and the left pectoral fin. At several points in the episode one could see the humpback whale upside down with both pectorals in the air …

After some brief morning fog, the conditions became sunny with calm seas again today. A total of 8 humpback whales were watched closely, along with 5 Minke whales and at least 500 common dolphins. There were hot spots of feeding with whales, dolphins and sea birds throughout the area. Among the most engaging humpback whales, we had our pal “Rope” …

Earlier we were thrilled to see 5 nice, active humpback whales on a great trip. Then is went to 7 humpback whales. Yesterday it jumped to 10, and today it was 12 humpback whales watched closely with more spouts in the area within binocular range. It definitely looks like the central coast whales are making a move to the Santa …

The data suggests that most baleen whales in the Santa Barbara Channel, except Minke whales, will migrate to sub-tropical waters to calf and breed during the Winter months. We also know that there are plenty of humpback whales to the north of us in central California. Given that the numbers of humpbacks we’ve been seeing has been on the rise …

The northeastern Santa Barbara Channel was teeming with cetaceans today. On a gorgeous, sunny and very calm/glassy day, the Condor Express encountered a total of 7 humpback whales, 2 Minke whales and at least 750 common dolphins. Among the humpbacks we had visits by Rope, Chomper, and the mom with the split-dorsal calf. Many of the 7 humpbacks were feeding …

The Fall whale season in the Santa Barbara Channel is regarded by many as the most spectacular humpback and Minke whale watching anywhere in California, or beyond for that matter. Today’s sightings were once again “off the charts” with both species of baleen whales gorging themselves before the humpbacks leave for tropical winter breeding and calving. Our pal “Rope” was …

An excellent “Indian Summer” whale watch adventure. It was hard to travel very far on the Condor Express today without dozens of pesky common dolphins coming over and doing their tricks. After all, we were headed to the northeast Santa Barbara Channel to find the big whales, and these little guys are so adorable and they were particularly beautiful to …